Weather cools off spring crappie angling

Mother nature has thrown a few low blows this week, with gale-force winds and wintry temperatures, both air and water, signaling a pause in the finding and catching of spring crappie and walleye. But there are some exceptions.

Take Lake Geneva for example, or as the locals call it, Geneva Lake. The crappie fishing has been good one day and off another at Fontana. When the sun warms the shallow water, crappies turn on.

Fox Chain: I wish I could say the same about the Chain. There is crappie activity but nothing like in past spring seasons. It's the back channels that could prove to be fruitful this weekend, especially if water temperatures climb to around 50 degrees. There has been some muskie action on Lake Catherine. The walleye bite has slowed on Pistakee Lake but over on Petite Lake there's been a flurry of action in the current leading to and from the Spring Lake Channel.

Forest preserves: In Cook County, Beck Lake has been giving up some larger crappie on calmer days.

Lake Michigan: Have no fear - there is some perch activity on the far south side. Best activity is once again off 95th Street. The coho bite is slightly off because of high winds on the big lake.

Cooling lakes: LaSalle Lake could be the bright spot this weekend for bass and big bluegill if the winds stays down.

Mike Jackson can be reached via e-maill at angler@ mikejacksonoutdoors.com, and you can catch his radio program 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.